TOP 10 HISTORICAL BRIDGES TO VISIT

Bridges are built in order to provide an easy passage. Throughout history, bridges had been built by engineers and burned by warriors, and crossed by kings and commoners alike. The first bridges were built with wooden planks, ropes and stones. Soon, stronger materials were required. Some of the bridges are regarded as landmarks and some have even become city icons because of their influence and engineering wonders.

Below is a list of the top 10 historical bridges to visit

Ponte Vecchio:

Ponte Vecchio is a medieval bridge over the Arno River in Florence. The bridge is famous for having shops built along it. Up until 1218, this bridge, also known as the Old Bridge, was the only bridge to cross the Arno River. Historians believe that the original bridge goes back to Roman times. It connected the Uffizi Gallery and the Pitti Palace across the river from it.

Golden Gate Bridge:

The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the strait between San Francisco and Marin County to the north. This bridge took 7 years to build, and was completed in 1937. The Golden Gate Bridge span in the world when it was completed.

Millau Bridge:

The Millau Bridge is an enormous cable stayed road-bridge that spans the valley of the river Tarn near Millau in southern France. It is the tallest vehicular bridge in the world (1,125ft). It is slightly taller than the Eiffel Tower. After the bridge opened to traffic, passengers were stopping to admire the landscape and the bridge itself.

Tower Bridge:

Tower Bridge is a combined bascule and suspension bridge in London, over the River Thames. Construction started in 1886 and took 8 years to build. The bridge consists of two towers which are tied together at the upper level by means of two horizontal walkways which are designed to withstand the forces of the suspended sections of the bridge.

Charles Bridge:

The Charles Bridge is a famous stone Gothic bridge that crosses the Vltava River in Prague, Czech Republic. Its construction started in 1357 and finished in the beginning of the 15th century. It is the most important connection between the Old Town and the area around Prague Castle.

Riato Bridge:

The Riato Bridge is the oldest bridge across the canal in Venice, Italy. It finished in 1591 and was used to replace a wooden bridge that collapsed in 1524. The bridge has defied its critics to become one of the architectural icons of Venice.

Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge:

The Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge is the longest suspension bridge at 1,991 meters (6,532ft) in the world. The bridge took almost 12 years to build and was opened in 1998. This bridge spans the Akashi strait in Japan connecting Kobe on the mainland and Iwaya on Awayi Island.

Si-o-se Pol:

Si-o-se Pol is a famous bridge in the Iranian city of Isfahan. The bridge is built of bricks and stones and it is 295 meters long and 13.75 meters wide. It is said that the bridge originally comprised 40 arches however this number gradually reduced to 33.

Stari Most:

Stari Most is a famous bridge crossing the river Neretva in the city of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was built in 1566 and stood for 427 years, until the bridge was destroyed in 1993 during the Bosnian War, and the new bridge rebuilt in 2004.

Sydney Harbour:

Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of Australia’s most well- known and photographed landmark. It took 8 years to build and opened in March 1932. It is the world largest steel arch bridge with the top of the bridge standing 134 meters above Sydney Harbour.